THOUGHTS About The News.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page.

Nicki Minaj. Maybe I missed it. But I am surprised there is no Nicki Minaj feed on Yahoo’s Page 1 this morning. Nicki/Trump is the new “hotcake” on Facebook, it seems? No, Ms Minaj was not appointed or suggested as an ambassador or press secretary. That is a Social Media “sidestreet” banter, okay?

But let’s check the back-stories. <>In November last year, Nicki joined Mike Waltz, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, at the UN in New York City to speak about the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Nicki has a huge following in Nigeria. <>Sometime this month, or around the firing of Press Sec Katie Zacharia, a joke floated around in regards to this “gossip” after a meeting with Communications Director Steven Cheung. 

       Yes, public officials joke around. But as we are pretty much aware of it, White House quotable quotes are priceless in these Trump times. Flash over facts, or official facts. Anyhow, here comes the Facebook memes! Nicki Minaj’s family as target. Influencers gotta work! The election is almost here, guys! Of course, the feeds are ugly, regardless of whether those criminal “records” are facts or false. As for me, unless it was Nicki Minaj who herself broke the law, then I’d give a hoot. (BTW, I don’t listen to her music. I am not a fan.) 

       But let me say this. How many relatives of celebrities are actually convicted of a crime or two? Examples: The dads of Woody Harrelson, Lindsay Lohan, and Tobey Maguire; Leighton Meester’s mom, and Marlon Brando’s son. And many more.

       Hey, anybody talkin’ about the latest mass shootings? Or at least the most recent one that took place in Muncie, Indiana two days ago? Nope. Unless that tragedy is blamed on Donald Trump, people would be throwing all kinds of memes at you. (Photo: Bored Panda.) 🏛🗽🏛

Rolling Stone: “Neil Young sues Trump PAC for use of song: 'Opposite of everything' president stands for.” First, let’s put this in perspective. Neil Young sold a 50 percent stake in his entire 1,180-song catalog to the UK-based Hipgnosis Songs (investment) Fund in 2021. (Others sold all their songs.)

      Among other reasons, the music of the older guys (Neil is 80) is in the verge of a “public domain” situation or the time when “Heart of Gold” et al will be free for anyone to use for whatever purpose. Neil's sale: Approximately 1,180 songs spanning nearly 50 albums. Most likely, “Rockin’ In The Free World” is one of those songs.

      Second, the no brainer: Staff of politicians, movie outfits, sports organizations, or business corporations check on details or copyrights before they use "songs." Lawyers discuss. Etc etcetera. But this “Don’t use my songs!” drama is a very common matter in these Trump times. So anything that’d jazz up the hate-narrative, right?

      I am not saying that Mr Young couldn't whine or even sue but obviously there's another party involved (who own or co-own the songs). Other parties are involved. But per common sense, why would I use by instinct say, “Let It Be” by The Beatles when after checking things out, ownership actually belongs to Sony Music Publishing and Universal Music Group? Call the lawyers, right? Then it’d be a matter of money. Are you feeling it?

      Yes, of course, Neil Young can say anything. He loves the attention. Or maybe Blue’s billionaire benefactors paid him (or his management) for the blah. His manager is Frank Gironda through Lookout Management, based in Santa Monica CA. 🤨😞🤨

Yahoo Finance: “Trump says gas is cheaper than under Biden. New data tells a different story.” And so on and so forth. Let me just type these up: <>The highest inflation rate under Joe Biden was 9.1 percent, which was reached in June 2022. <>The highest annual inflation rate recorded during Donald Trump's presidency is 3.8 percent, which was reached in April this year. In Covid years or in 2021, Mr Trump’s highest inflation “record” was 4.7 percent. There you go! Then y’all can argue now. 🏛🗽🏛

Newsweek: “Air Canada is dropping U.S. routes as Canadians rethink their vacations.” Enough already! All this so-called “news” meant to accentuate the wild perception that Canadians (and other people elsewhere) are avoiding the U.S. because of Donald Trump is very annoying. The eerie frequency of mass shootings may deter tourists from visiting America these days but that “fear” isn’t so significant.

       While the 2026 data from the World Economic Forum Index ranks Japan as the year’s top destination for international visitors, the U.S. is #2. I mean, Canada isn’t even in the Top 10. Why can’t the media let this “Carney vs. Trump drama” rest? Canada has its own serious internal problems that PM Mark Carney should be concentrating on, instead. 🇨🇦☮️🇺🇸

Reuters: “The U.S. has reportedly relied on Elon Musk to help shape foreign policy for years.” Duh. Not necessarily referring to the wealthiest person on earth, isn’t America somehow “governed” by giant corporations? If not by America's 4 largest banks (JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo) we could point at Forbes 500. Private firms a.k.a. The 1 Percent. 

       In comparison, China’s main industries are state-owned (except Big Tech). In fact, the world's top 4 banks by total assets are all massive Chinese institutions, state-owned. The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), Agricultural Bank of China (ABC), China Construction Bank (CCB), and the Bank of China. These mammoth banks hold over $26 trillion in total global assets. Chinese trade expansionism? What do you think? 

       Regardless of that Chinese fact, the U.S. ranks #1 in the number of billionaires, 989 against China’s 539. So back to the question: Does Mr Musk “help shape foreign policy?” This: Elon’s global investments and personal net worth hover between $1.01 trillion and $1.1 trillion. One person. So figure that one out. (Visual: Secret Entourage.) 🏛🗽🏛